[wow]

Light alloy Dillema (Post #1)

I have 15inch rims 8 spoke and I want new rims. My question to all my fellow mini drivers out there is should I get 16 inch X lite light alloy rims (from a mates coopers S) on my mini cooper.
Will it look good?
How will the handling and ride change?
Please reply asap
PS will it fit okay?

[wow]

Will my performance drop?

[Minty]

if you drive slower...yes.

[LuckyRVA]

Quote:

Originally posted by wow
Will my performance drop?

You probably won't notice a difference. The x-lites are the lightest 16" wheel.




-Jason

[Casey]

Keep the wheels you have - they look great and are LIGHT - the 8 holes are around 5lbs lighter per wheel then the 16 xlites and about 8 or 9 lbs lighter then the 16 5 spokes. Plus weight of the rubber....I'd keep the wheels you have and put on some nice rubber like toyo t1s proxies.

[wow]

I am so confused now??????????????????

What to do?
The 15inch looks so girlish the 16" make my mini look really agressive and ready to RUMBLE yeah. The 15" make the car look like the bottom of the range if you understand me.

ps Thanx for all the replies

[Minty]

get the 16"s. they look better, will handle better, and you wont notice any performance change.

i went from 15"s to 17"s and havent notice performance drop...but i can chuck it into the bends better now.

[Casey]

I've driven every tire/wheel combo on the MINIs besides the 16 5spoke(i've driven the 16 vspokes) With a good performance tire I feel the 15s are best...and by far the 17s being the worse...the 17s are for those that want looks - but those slites are heavy and by far the worse performing of the bunch. The 16" V Spokes are the best comprimise but with any of them ditch runflats and put a set of toyo t1s proxies or your favorite tire. But if you want perforamnce the 17s should be the last on your list. Now with the 15s you can't upgrade to a big brake kit but can still do pads, fluid, brake lines which is what most people could use. With the 16s there is a few kits that will fit - such as the Tarox kit which does come in a size for the 16s so I don't feel there is any reason to go for 17s. Now if there wasn't a big brake kit that could fit the 16s then the 17s may have a good argument. If your stuck on looks get 17s but please don't get the slites - while they look great they are bricks. Get something like the Centerline RPMs or SSRs or Volks...great wheels and light.

[TREBALZ]

i have 17x8 rims ..what will dis do to my speed..increase or decrease and y????

[Casey]

What is the weight of the wheel and the over rolling diameter compared to say the stock 16s? If the rolling diameter is larger - the top end speed will be higher but you will get there slower. It takes more force to spin a larger(heavier) wheel. On the wheel most of the weight is on the outer rim - furthest from the center of rotation and thus takes more force to rotate. Now will everyone notice these differences? Between the same weight 16s and 17s most street going drivers won't...but 10lbs heavier? Pretty much most people will notice this difference.

[wow]

Got the 16" rims and put them on with runflats and love them. I will post pics soon